Absa Bank Kenya trains athletes on wellness ahead of the Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country
The training, held in partnership with the long-distance runner Eliud Kipchoge, took place at the Kaptagat Training Camp
Absa Bank Kenya has offered to guide athletes on financial management and nutrition program in preparation for the upcoming Absa Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour, scheduled for Saturday, at Lobo Village in Eldoret.
The training, held in partnership with the long-distance runner Eliud Kipchoge, took place at the Kaptagat Training Camp.
The partnership included holding sessions on financial literacy, budgeting, and retirement planning, along with nutrition training aimed at enhancing the athletes’ growth and performance.
Speaking during the training, Julius Songok, Absa Bank Kenya’s Regional Manager for the Rift Valley Cluster highlighted the bank’s commitment to supporting athletes through a comprehensive approach that extends beyond sports.
“As a financial institution, we understand that achieving success in any area, including athletics, requires more than just athletic talent. It involves financial literacy, appropriate nutrition, and proper sportswear, which motivated us to organize this session,” Songok said.
“We care deeply about the well-being of athletes and believe that investing in their development contributes meaningfully to our national heritage in athletics.”
Kipchoge said his athletic journey echoes the need for financial discipline in the sport. He said he believes knowledge is power and the way to get it was through seminars.
He said Absa has also provided food to athletes who are having many problems as far as food, accommodation and equipment are concerned and such initiatives should continue so that athletes know what to do when they get money.
“I would also like to encourage the athletes participating in the Absa Sirikwa Classic to work hard, focus on the prize and run the way they have been running and come out with flying colours,” Kipchoge said.
The financial wellness training also featured Sportswear Branding by Badeq, a premier athletic apparel brand dedicated to supporting athletes with high-performance gear. Both Badeq and Nutrition by Nthenya are beneficiaries of the Absa Business Club.
The Absa Sirikwa Classic will see the top winners of the senior category receiving $6,000 (Ksh780,000), with the second being awarded $5,000 (Ksh650,000) and the third receiving $4,000 (Ksh520,000).
The winners of the U20 category will receive $1,250 (Ksh162,500), with the second and third place winners being awarded $1,000 (Ksh130,000) and $800 (Ksh104,000), respectively.
The annual athletics event will attract both local and international athletes. The Absa Sirikwa Classic is part of fourteen World Athletics Cross Country Tour held in different countries globally.
